Did you know that you are made up of 60% water? When you understand this, it makes so much more sense why we need to drink water consistently every day. Water not only helps quench your thirst, but it is also imperative for your body to function properly. According to HealthLine, water helps control your body temperature, excrete wastes in your body, improves physical performance, helps with digestion and nutrient absorption, and so much more.

Pregnancy & Water – What’s the Big Deal?

When you add the stress of pregnancy to your body, water intake becomes so much more important. Unfortunately, many doctors don’t explain just how important it is to their pregnant patients. I can’t tell you how many moms I’ve spoken to that have told me that their doctors didn’t even talk to them about drinking water.

So Just How Much Water Should You Be Drinking When You Are Pregnant?

The current recommendation is that you drink at least 80 ounces of water each day. That amounts to approximately 10, 8 ounce glasses of water. Surprisingly, this is just a starting point and can vary based on your activity level. After speaking with my midwife, she recommended that for a moderately active person, that I should be having 100 ounces of water a day in the 1st half of my pregnancy, and up to 140 ounces a day during the 2nd half. While this might seem a bit much, and believe me, my bladder often agrees, both my doctor and I believe that my extra water intake was one of the primary reasons I was able to carry my little boy for so long (41.5 weeks). By staying so well hydrated, I was able to keep my amniotic fluid at surprisingly high levels for that late in the pregnancy.

Water is Key to a Healthy Pregnancy

Obviously, how much water you drink daily is specific to you, but my point is that you really need to make sure that you are getting enough water for your body. Both you and your baby are depending on it.

So why is water so important to you and your baby?

Water helps get important nutrients to your baby

It can help with constipation and swelling

It can help decrease the intensity or severity of Braxton Hicks contractions

It will help prevent dehydration

It increases you and your baby’s ability to remove waste and can decrease the strain on the kidneys and liver that dehydration causes (Livestrong.com)

It helps you keep stable levels of amniotic fluid (which, if low, can cause problems as you near the end of your pregnancy)

My 5MinuteBack Pregnancy Challenge Update

I have to admit that I have been struggling a bit these last few weeks to get in all of my exercises. More often than not, I have only been able to complete the 5MinuteRoutine, and I am lucky to have even been able to do that. While I’m not thrilled that I haven’t been able to do more complete routines and additional exercises, I know that this is the reality of being a busy woman and I am working on accepting that. I hope that over the next few weeks I can get back to my desired routine.

According to the The Bump, weight gain is one of the primary symptoms that we all experience around week 17. Knowing that, it is so much more important that you take care of your body and begin a pregnancy specific workout routine now to keep your body healthy, fit and to reduce as many pregnancy pains as possible.

On that note however, even though I haven’t been able to do the complete 5MinuteBack Pregnancy routine every week, I still feel great. Even with my weight gain speeding up, I am carrying the pregnancy weight well and haven’t experienced any additional pregnancy pain or discomfort related to it. I am feeling strong and sexy and so much more confident right now than I was at this same time during the last pregnancy. I am just thrilled with my results.

Other Great Reads

With hundreds of pregnancy back strengthening and workout programs out there, how do you know which one will be the most effective for your pregnancy? Which one will really provide you with the strengthening that you need during this physically challenging time of your life? The answer is simple – it should be one that is designed around eye movement.

No matter what your expectations are for the day, or week, it is so hard to get in a workout on a regular basis. You can often get away without doing a regular workout for a while, but when you are pregnant, working out is so much more important that you really need that consistency in a routine for both you and the baby.

Let’s be honest, do any of us really feel like we have the time to eat healthy? It’s a huge commitment. It takes time, a lot of planning, and dedication. But it is all worth it, especially when you are pregnant. According to the American Pregnancy Association, eating healthy is important to make you feel healthy during your pregnancy, give you more energy, set you up for an easier labor, and of course, provide countless benefits for your baby. I wholeheartedly agree!

So you’re tired, achy, and feel like you have absolutely no energy left. Why in the world would you want to workout? Here are my top 8 reasons why you should prioritize working out when you are pregnant.

With so many pregnancy exercise programs and workout routines out there, how do you decide what is right for you? When I first started searching for a pregnancy workout routine during my first pregnancy, I was overwhelmed. If you search Google for “pregnancy exercise routine,” it immediately pulls up over 41 MILLION results . . .

Did you know that you are made up of 60% water? When you add the stress of pregnancy to your body, water intake becomes so much more important. Unfortunately, many doctors don’t explain just how important it is to their pregnant patients.

If you are new to the world of green drinks, I’m so excited for you! Green drinks are one of our family’s favorite breakfasts and snacks. Not only are they delicious, but they are extremely healthy and can really help ensure that you get all of the nutrients that you need during your pregnancy (especially if you don’t normally enjoy eating dark leafy greens).

After a bit of traveling during my first pregnancy, and 15 days on the road so far during this one, here are my top 4 tips on how to stay strong and healthy while pregnant and traveling: 1. Pick an exercise program that is easy to do on the move . . .

At this moment, all of my energy is focused on ending this horrible bout of morning sickness. I refuse to let it ruin my first few months of pregnancy. After hours of research and tons of experimentation, these are my top 3 recommendations for managing morning sickness . . .

5MinuteBack Pregnancy did wonders for me throughout my first pregnancy. Looking back though, my biggest regret is that I didn’t start until more than ½ way through my pregnancy. Now pregnant with my second child, I am determined to complete my 5MBP program consistently throughout the entire pregnancy. So I’m giving myself a challenge. . .